The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1887-09-03

broken.
The bones had been forced so far out O.
position by the force Of the impact that
was very difficult to bring them into Apo
sstion, especially as the slightest pressure
caused intense pain, and it was not deemed
advisable to give relief by using ether il
the PATIENTS exhausted condition. Afte
much labor the bones were brought tc
gether and strips of adhesive plaster wer
carried over the chest and brought ar oune
the body to the back, so as to prevent thu
movement Of the bones There was an in
reference in the patients breathing tina
appeared after few days, but this wa:
thought to be due to the restricted move
ment of the chest. The difficulty in breath
ing increased, and was accompanied by {
hacking cough and great pain. Morphine
was to be given in great quantities to en-
able the patient to get any rest at all
From the Symphonic it was concluded thai
the right lung had been injured and per
haps penetrated by piece of bone. Arnics
was freely given internally and applied
externally. There was an intense interna
heat, and the extremities were ice-cold
Despite every thing that was done the pa
tient sank rapidly, and the surgeon felt
justified by the urgency of the symptoms
in running the risk of opening the chest
and finding, if possible, from an examina
ton, if there was not something that coul6
No done. The patient was told of the seri
BUSINESS of the operation. He gave hi
consent willingly, and said that if he coult
stand the fall Of hundred feet he though
a little cutting by the surgeon would no
amount to much.
The patient gave signs of heart trouble
but this was thought to be due to sympa
thetic action rather than any organic diff
Guilty, and ether was given. The patien
was carefully watched during its admins
tration. When the surgeon was satisfied
that there would be no heart failure he be
gan work. An incision was made from
the throat to the end of the heart bont
downward, following the line Of the rib
for several inches and along thu collar
bone. Then with sharp knife the fest
on the chest was dissected free, and |:
large flap was turned over on the RICH
shoulder. The extent of the fracture wa:
then seen, and 1T was much worse than
had been thought
Six ribs were affected. Two of then
were united, but the other four were in &
terrible condition, and showed certain
signs of decay. There were considerable
Inflammation Of the pleura. Withou
hesitating for second the sur
geon determined to remove thu
cause of the evil Bone nippers wers
put around the ends of the rib
after the connecting tissue had beer
divided and the diseased portions were
cut away. This took nearly all OF tw'
ribs and about half of two others, which
was indeed dangerous thing to do, AMI
about equivalent to jabbing knife int
the heart A fine splinter had been throw,
from the end of the ribs and was foun'
sticking into the lung.
Every fragment of bone and dust tina
could be seen was removed, and as thu
patient showed signs of the collapse thu
wound was speedily washed with an an
.iseptic solution and the flap was re
turned to position. Stimulants were free
" given while sutures were made, ant
after two hours of surgical experimental
ton the patient was landed in his co
more dead than alive The strong con
titution got in its work and combatted thu
advance of death. II was toss Of cen,
either way, but finally the grim monste
was knocked out and went away to seek {;
less obstinate victim. The struggle ha
been long one, but the patients condition
is such that it is safe to predict his re
0oxyo~n